ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Catching Up With Andrew Cosgrove Director of Maintenance at Satcom Direct Growing up in Charleston, SC, close to
My success and advancement in my career began because of the foundation those programs gave me. The alumni network and connections that Embry-Riddle and its instructors have is also second to none. Because of them I was able to start my career in corporate aviation at a very respectable large corporate flight department. How do you think the Aviation Industry will change in the future? Aviation overall has changed dramatically the past few years and is only recently starting to come back to normal levels. Corporate travel is much the same, though as more and more people see private aviation as no longer a means but as a necessity it will continue to grow at a rapid pace. The private/corporate aviation industry is already seeing the need for qualified individuals to maintain and operate the growing corporate market. What role do you think Embry-Riddle might play in the future of aviation? I truly believe Embry-Riddle will continue to do what it does best — provide a quality foundation and the best starting point for the individuals who want to succeed in this industry. The Aviation Maintenance Science department continues to collaborate throughout the aviation industry to make sure its students not only have the knowledge and abilities to meet the standards of the FAA, but to make sure they are taught the specialized skills and have the understanding to meet the current industry needs of modern aircraft. Programs like the Avionics Line Maintenance and the training and knowledge they provide are going to become more necessary as aircraft continue to evolve, and Embry-Riddle is making sure they are ahead of that need.
Charleston Air Force base, Andrew’s father would regularly take him and his younger brother to the airport to watch C-141s take off and land. It was amazing to watch such big machines fly through the air. From an early age, Andrew knew he wanted to be involved in aviation and work with aircraft.
How did you get interested in Aviation Maintenance?
I have always been a hands-on person and love understanding how things function and fixing things that are broken. Aviation Maintenance was the perfect fit. Why did you decide on Embry-Riddle? Embry-Riddle is widely regarded as the best institution for aviation across multiple disciplines. I knew that was the place I needed to be in order to have the best foundation and chance of success. What are you doing now? Today I oversee day-to-day operations associated with aircraft maintenance and hangar operations for Satcom Direct’s corporate flight department. This includes performing preventative maintenance, inspections and repairs, as well as long-term planning of aircraft maintenance and budgeting for multiple corporate aircraft. How did the College of Aviation contribute to your work today? The Aviation Maintenance Science program is arguably the best and most thorough FAA Airframe and Powerplant program out there. Combine that with the Avionics Line Maintenance program, and you can’t ask for a better foundation to begin your career.
22
Made with FlippingBook - Share PDF online